It’s kind of a shame that we’ve barely managed to touch upon the aftermath of what was a fantastic UFC on FUEL event this past weekend, but simply put, UFC 145 has so much more on the line in terms of hype, hatred, and championship gold that the Swedish card can’t help but be placed on the back burner. The light heavyweight championship bout pitting Jon Jones against Rashad Evans has torn fans, friends, and even training camps apart before our very eyes, and we are just a business week away from finally being treated to its conclusion.

Let’s start with the division’s very first champion, Frank Shamrock, who was finally able to speak without unknowingly blinding his audience with the illuminating power of his braces:

This fight has a tremendous story behind it, with it having grown out of a friendship that went sour back when these two were teammates. The drama that’s fueling this is incredible. Fans can expect a fight that, stylistically, will be extremely challenging for Jones to overcome, and he’ll have fits with Rashad’s wrestling if he’s able to put Jon on his back. But ultimately, I see Jones being able to inflict more damage and walk away with the belt still in hand. This will be a fight that will not end as easily and devastatingly as Jones’s others have, but rather one of those moments in his career where he’ll have to pull himself up and battle until the final bell. In the end, this fight will help Jon become a better fighter and a better champion, and will endear himself to fans for years to come.

Never a man of many words, at least not coherently put together in a sentence, Tito Ortiz’s analysis was much simpler:

Jones is looking very good. But Rashad is fast, man, and once he hurts you he’s on you. I’d like to see Rashad use his wrestling and takedowns and really mix it up. I think it will be a great fight.

As for the rest of the former champs…

Randy Couture: “I think it is going to be very interesting, Rashad has the speed and skills to win. Rashad has to avoid his propensity for standing up and just striking, which he has done in the past. He can’t just strike with Jones; if he does he will lose because Jon has more tools in the toolbox. Rashad has to take Jones down, not just once or twice but every single time he has any opportunity. If Jones is worried about getting taken down, that’s when Rashad can put his hands on him and do some damage. But he has to keep Jon guessing if it is a takedown or a strike that’s coming.

I think Jones is super-talented and he is clearly getting better in each fight. He could turn into a very special type of champion. He poses some very unique problems in the Octagon – and so far no one has solved too many of them. I think this is a huge fight for the division. “Bones” Jones is very hot right now and with the personalities and the back story, it all hypes this up into a very interesting fight.”

Vitor Belfort: “I think this fight will be great for the sport because Jones and Evans used to train together. That changes things, now they are going to fight against each other. We are in the new era of sport with these athletes like Jon Jones and the techniques they can do. Both guys have a chance to be the winner, and it could come down to who is better on that one night. I am looking forward to seeing this huge fight.”

Chuck Liddell: “Everyone is different but, I think, for most fighters getting into the Octagon with someone they don’t like is a great motivation in training. Every time you are tired or holding a little back, you think about losing to this guy you can’t stand and it helps you give 100%. That’s how I was with Tito, I couldn’t stand the idea of losing to him and so I trained harder.

“I’d love to know who really got the best of it when these guys trained together. You get a feeling for someone when you spar with them. That’s why I was so confident against Tito; I’d beat him up standing, wrestling and at BJJ when we trained together years before out fights and I knew I was in his head because of that. Listening to Rashad, it seems from watching the Primetime show that he feels he’s in Jon’s head a little. He sounds very confident and I think that’s based on experiences in the gym. I’m glad he is confident, because that’s something you have to have against Jones. If you don’t go after Jon you are in for a bad night.”

Quinton Jackson: “Rashad has to go for it right from the start, for real. Rashad can’t play on the outside, you can’t fight no Jon Jones on the outside, believe me. Rashad is fast and can surprise you. He surprised me by faking a takedown and hitting me with a right hand which kinda stunned me. I think he can do that to Jon Jones, but he has to do it right away because the more time you give Jones, the harder it is to set him up for a punch. I think Jon Jones will win, but I think Rashad has a chance.”

Forrest Griffin: “This is a great fight. I’m glad I’m not fighting Jon Jones anytime soon, but I think Rashad has the right style to give him problems. There are so many emotions between these guys going into the fight, and I know the Atlanta fans will be getting their money’s worth. Jones looks very nasty, but I’m not going to underestimate Rashad. I kinda did that before once…”

Lyoto Machida: “Jones vs Evans is a big fight for the fans and a big fight for the division. It is a very interesting fight; Jones is very unorthodox and is strong in all aspects of the game, but Rashad is a great wrestler and has the hand speed to catch Jones.”

Mauricio Rua: “They are two very smart, strategic athletes. Both of them fight thinking of their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and think about how to fight the best possible fight to win. But I think Jon Jones has an advantage, since he is very hard to reach. He is not only long (limbed) but also fast and he can react very quickly, I know this. So, I think it’s going to be Jones’ match. However, let’s not forget Rashad is also very strategic. I believe Rashad will have a good gameplan and I am very interested to see what he will try to do in this fight.”

Since we’ve already asked your opinion on who will emerge victorious from this one about a dozen times, let’s switch things up. How do you have this one ending? *prays for spinning elbow KO*

I think Rashad's gonna clip him. Then jump on him wrestlefuck him a little bit then slip on a choke and not let go until Johnny douchebag Tim silvia's himself.

RwilsonR- April 17, 2012 at 7:14 am

If Rashad beats Jones, I hope he does it by following Matt Hamill's gameplan exactly to the letter. Rashad wins by DQ - 12 to 6 face smash.

ytrebil- April 17, 2012 at 2:34 am

I’m going with either a decision to Rashad or a 1st or 2nd round surprise KO from Rashad a bit like the GSP/Serra fight… up pops Rashad inside of Jones’ reach and catches him square on the chin then swarms in to finish.

Jackson is spot on with his assessment though – the only way you could beat JJ is to be right up in his face – you got no chance if you want to circle the outside of him and let him get his shit together, he’ll just destroy you. I don’t think Rashad is that dumb, he’ll bring it alright and if he doesn’t then he’ll lose me as a fan. I just can’t see him NOT engaging and quickly – he’s physically much stronger and there’s only one way to show that.

RaginAsian- April 16, 2012 at 10:13 pm

The closer it gets to a fight, the more people buy into the marketing and the more competitive people think the fight will be. Happened with Bader, happened with Shogun, happened with Machida. All of them ended up face down on the canvas. So someone please tell me how a guy with less size, reach, and well-rounded striking skills does any different. I'll be astounded if this fight is even mildly competitive.

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intercept440- April 16, 2012 at 5:39 pm

i had a vision last night......i predict a Black man will win

rngeorgeh- April 16, 2012 at 4:54 pm

Why do these fucktards have such difficulty picking a winner?

sausagelauncher- April 16, 2012 at 4:20 pm

Call me crazy, but i think it may go to the judges. That frendship thing does weird shit. I could see them both tucking tail dancing around eachother for five rounds. Could be a letdown folks.

Legato- April 16, 2012 at 3:32 pm

God I hope Rashad wins just to see the look on Greg Jackson's face.....(but don't see it happening)

RearNakedSpoon- April 16, 2012 at 2:56 pm

The reply button is useless, it hides your comment ffs

sausagelauncher- April 17, 2012 at 6:05 am

As if typing a paragraph of binary code every time i want to log in was'nt annoying enough.

The12ozCurls- April 16, 2012 at 3:10 pm

not if you hit "show hidden"

RearNakedSpoon- April 17, 2012 at 4:10 am

It should show by default.

The12ozCurls- April 17, 2012 at 8:58 am

It should RNS but it is still better than CAPTCHA

Taintimus- April 16, 2012 at 2:50 pm

Nobody even answered the question.

Sopapo- April 16, 2012 at 1:56 pm

I hope Rashad ends it with a brutal crucifix beating like a mix between the ones he did to phil davis and gary goodridge's classic.
And seeing Jon Jones cry afterwards would be just the icing on the cake.
what? to harsh ?

RearNakedSpoon- April 16, 2012 at 2:54 pm

Not harsh enough my friend. What
Jones will do if Rashad beats him is the biggest question to be answered. Cry is the most likely, mixed in with Forrest style running out of the octagon and back to the locker room.

The_Dead_Cow- April 16, 2012 at 1:26 pm

Jones will deliver one of the two for the finish: 1) knee to the head from Muay Thai clinch, 2) GnP elbow that turns Shad's skull into fine powder. Spinning elbow would be sick, but I don't think he'll be able to catch him with that.